Feb 12 2018
4x2k, struggling
I looked up my previous average time for the 4x2k and it was 1:51.9 pace in December. I decided to target 1:52 split, but I knew it was going to be hard, after a pretty exhausting day at work.
Warming up with some speed bursts at 24, 28 and 30 SPM.
In the first interval, I managed 1:52.1 but I felt I should slow down a bit. I started the second interval relaxed at 1:53 but as I got into it, and by focusing on good technique, I managed to bring down the average split in the second half of this 2k, and scored another 1:52.1.
In the third interval, I focused on sitting straight and only pushing with the legs in the first half of the drive. I also played some mind games, alternating focus between the next 250 marker or the next full minute, whichever came first. In the beginning of the 2k, these two things happen a few seconds apart, but as you continue, the gap becomes wider, and you end the row with something to row towards every 30 seconds. This worked so well that I managed a 1:51.8 split. Much better than expected (I was expecting to fight handle down demons).
I paid for it in the beginning of the final, fourth interval. I had somehow drained my mental energy in that third interval, and suddenly I was looking at 1:56 and 1:57 splits and unable to lower them. The fact that this is pure mental was proven as I passed the 1000m mark. I was focusing again on the next full minute or 250m marker, and suddenly the splits started coming back to the desired values. I kept gradually lowering them and with 250m to go I rated up to 30spm and 1:45 pace to try and bring the total time under 7:30. I missed that target by a second.
Given the exhausting working day and the fact that I am not feeling 100%, I am happy with the result.
Apr 19 2018
Wednesday – 4x2km OTW
Monday and Tuesday – no training. It’s a tough week to find time to train. My parents are visiting. On Tuesday, it was my daughter’s 18th birthday. On Thursday, it will be my birthday.
The weather is great and we visited one of the attractions of Brno, the Villa Tugendhat, a 1930 building by Mies van der Rohe, a famous architect.
Yesterday, we went to the rowing club so my parents could watch the rowing training of their grandsons, and I made use of the opportunity to sneak in a 4x2km/5min. The last time I had done this session OTW was in August.
Interestingly, in warm water and with little wind, I managed a 247W average power and a 2:10.2 average 500m pace.
Workout Summary - media/20180418-1525480o.csv
--|Total|-Total-|--Avg--|-Avg-|Avg-|-Avg-|-Max-|-Avg
--|Dist-|-Time--|-Pace--|-Pwr-|SPM-|-HR--|-HR--|-DPS
--|08000|36:17.0|02:16.1|231.9|26.2|173.2|183.0|08.4
W-|08000|36:17.0|02:16.1|231.9|26.2|173.2|183.0|08.4
R-|00000|00:00.0|00:00.0|000.0|00.0|000.0|183.0|00.0
Workout Details
#-|SDist|-Split-|-SPace-|-Pwr-|SPM-|AvgHR|MaxHR|DPS-
00|02000|08:28.1|02:07.0|238.2|25.6|169.2|179.0|09.2
01|02000|09:39.9|02:25.0|234.4|26.0|173.1|179.0|08.0
02|02000|08:32.5|02:08.1|227.9|26.6|175.5|181.0|08.8
03|02000|09:36.9|02:24.2|227.4|26.6|174.8|183.0|07.8
So a 231W average and a 2:16.1 average 500m pace. It was quite choppy, which usually reduces the power a bit (at same perceived rate of exertion), and the water was colder. So at 93% of the power, compared to last August, I rowed at 96% of the pace. Seems pretty consistent. I was expecting the average pace drop to be larger. I am thinking that water depth is important too. The lake in Trebon (where I rowed last August’s 4x2km) is shallow with a sandy bottom. The Brno lake is deep, with a rocky bottom.
When I downloaded the charts, I was annoyed that I had forgotten that the NK SpeedCoach doesn’t record the rest strokes when you program intervals with rest.
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The slide show shows the technique charts that I found interesting. Catch angle influenced by head vs tailwind and by chop. The same thing can be seen for effective drive length. Wash was gradually increasing during the workout, as I got more tired.
This was a nice, pretty intensive workout. I had fun. It’s nice to row at 26/27spm, 80% of maximum effort, and cover the 8-9 minute effort with confidence. Also, there were sailboats and other scullers out on the water, so I had to pass people and watch traffic, which makes time go by so fast, in comparison with the ergometer.
I am adding to pictures from the weekend, which I forgot to attach to the blog. One of a coach who got towed in on Saturday morning. Engine problems with the launch, on the middle of the lake. The water guards told us he was their first “rescue” of the year. Another picture showing the mirror flat water on Sunday, which quickly became choppy while we were changing clothes. An old trick of our rowing lake.
By sanderroosendaal • Uncategorized • 0 • Tags: 1x, 4x2km, OTW, rowing, single, training